Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 284,188	$ 317,010
Cash restricted or segregated under regulations and other	71,496	68,965
Deposits with clearing organizations	25,538	14,235
Securities owned, at fair value	5,277	25,789
Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	871,315	865,251
Receivables from customers	472,509	606,256
Premises and equipment, net	43,023	39,373
Capitalized software, net	51,258	57,924
Goodwill	274,292	468,479
Other intangibles, net	39,594	36,784
Income taxes receivable	6,838	5,561
Deferred taxes	16,493	4,902
Other assets	16,248	20,324
Total assets	2,178,069	2,530,853
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	181,224	195,109
Short-term bank loans	1,606
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations	1,079,773	1,139,958
Payables to customers	207,738	272,027
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	438	19,362
Income taxes payable	11,460	16,215
Deferred taxes	719	18,114
Term debt	23,997
Total liabilities	1,506,955	1,660,785
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 51,899,229 and 51,790,608 shares issued at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	519	518
Additional paid-in capital	249,469	246,085
Retained earnings	653,344	833,133
Common stock held in treasury, at cost; 12,679,948 and 10,524,757 shares at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	(240,559)	(220,161)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (net of tax)	8,341	10,493
Total stockholders' equity	671,114	870,068
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 2,178,069	$ 2,530,853